Fellow Shooters

This notice is to let you know that we will stop side matches for the time being until further notice. We will have 6 pistol stages at our match. Our reason for stopping the side match is because it is one of the harder stages to support and run during our match. Our support to hold these matches is getting smaller and our match days are getting longer. Basically, we are getting less help at the match.

At our last meeting our staff discussed that we were not getting enough support with set up and breakdown of the match. It was brought up and witnessed over the years that we have 30 club members and our shooters attendance is growing at every match.  The same few people help with the set up and breakdown of the match. I know of 6 members that start at 7am on match day to prepare the match and those same folks are there until we lock the storage box up at 5 pm or as late as 7 pm every month, every year. I would like to thank them and the handful of others that help us at the matches. Now we are asking for more help so we do not get burned out.  These guys are also the “Certified Range Officers” that run everyone else through the stages and scores the match.

For those who think we just do this once a month should know that these folks who work our club match also support other matches throughout Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland and other states with their club matches. They also work State and Area Matches during the year to help support the action shooting sports. These matches are 3 to 4 day events.

Our folks have a full plate to put matches on for our entertainment. Matches at our range require preparations through the week to be ready to provide the best match we can. All we are asking is for a little more help on set up and breakdown. We can only set up on match day so our day is a tough one. We are trying to provide the best possible matches we can, but by spending twice the time at the match than anyone else makes doing these matches tough. These folks that work every match pay club dues and match fees like everyone else so I’m very grateful to have their support at the matches. Without them we would not be able to have the quality matches that we have now.

So in closing, we are looking for more support from everyone at the matches. We have been doing this for over 9 years now and we are asking for your support. Everyone knows that without support we would not be able to have these matches. Our crew has been worn through the years and would like more support from the rest of the participants and now more than ever from our club members. Think about it. Hope to see many more of you out there to lend a helping hand so we can get a little more of a break at our match.

Thanks!

Terry Bailado

President / Match Director

Blackwater Practical Shooters